Premier Christy Clark announced at the Vancouver Island Economic Summit in Nanaimo today an investment of $2.7 million in North Island College for skills training in high-priority trades seats.

The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 744 seats through to March 31, 2017, in various trades, including:

• Electrician
• Welder
• Carpenter
• Plumber
• Cook
• Heavy mechanical group trades

The funding is part of the ITA’s annual allocation to B.C. post-secondary institutions and training providers to run various training programs throughout the province.

In response to the objectives outlined in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the McDonald Report, the B.C. government has worked in partnership with the ITA to begin building a demand-driven trades training system with funding aligned to specific in-demand trades.

The provincial government invests more than $94 million annually in industry training through the ITA. The ITA leads and co-ordinates British Columbia’s skilled trades system by working with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers and government to issue credentials, manage apprenticeships, set program standards and increase opportunities in the trades.

Quotes:

Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley –  

“I am pleased that our great partnership with North Island College continues to produce outstanding skilled men and women who are helping to keep our region strong and growing. B.C.’s economy is the envy of Canada and investments such as this go a long way to ensuring our momentum continues.”

John Bowman, president, North Island College –

“This funding provides opportunities for North Island students to develop practical skills and knowledge in more than 20 different trades and technology programs across the region. NIC is proud to support North Island students and communities with industry-relevant trades training close to home.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority –

“There is growing interest in trade careers across the province and the investment announced today will ensure British Columbians have the opportunity to access training in high-priority trades so that they are equipped with the right skills to respond to the job opportunities to come.”

Quick Facts:

• ITA provides more than 100 apprenticeship training programs in B.C., including 50 Red Seal trades.
• There are currently more than 39,000 registered apprentices in the industry training system (including youth) – more than double the 14,676 apprentices registered when ITA was created in 2004.
• B.C. is expecting up to one million job openings by 2025 due to retirements and economic growth.
• Eight of every 10 of these job openings will require post-secondary education or trades training.

Learn More:

Industry Training Authority: http://www.itabc.ca/

B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint.aspx

B.C. Labour Market Outlook: www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx